Statistics compiled by the Toledo Department of Traffic Engineering show that 48,000 automobiles pass thru the intersection of Central Avenue and Secor Road on an average week day. From either street one can see the small cemetery which stands there behind its chain fence.

Some years ago before the cemetery was annexed by the City of Toledo from Washington Township in July 1963 - the name stood over the old gate, "Houghton Cemetery." A new fence was erected by the city and there is no sign telling the name.

Miss Alice Haughton of San Mateo, California, recently wrote the writer that Haughton Cemetery started first as a private burial ground by the six Haughton brothers, Lyman, Stephen, Marvin, Cyrus, John and William. The first four came to the area during the winter of 1833-1834 from Monroe County, New York. They settled on large tracks of Government land along what then became known as Haughton Street, but now is known as Central Avenue. A few years later two other brothers, John and William, came west and settled in the same area.

Stephen Haughton (1801-1887) was one of the early physicians of this part of Ohio. He owned a two hundred forty acre farm and carried on his medical practice. After some years he moved his family to Fulton County where he continued to farm and practice medicine. He died in Wauseon, Ohio on May 26, 1887, but his body was returned to Haughton Cemetery for burial. His tombstone is still readable as it stands among less than one hundred headstones and monuments. Some are broken and some are so weathered that the inscriptions are no longer clear.

The oldest readable stone appears to be that of Ruby Brown who died August 7, 1835. The oldest Haughton stone still standing is that of Ann Eliza Wiggins, the first wife
(End Page 24) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Note: For more on the WIGGINS Family see click on this link
to the Samuel WIGGINS family.)

of Smith Haughton, who died December 4, 1857 at the age of 32. The last Haughton to be buried there was Ernest Haughton who had lived in California for many years, but had made arrangements before his death on July 31, 1964 at the age of 86 to be brought back and buried in the old cemetery.

The family took a very active part in all phases of the life of the area. During the Civil War several members of the family including Nathaniel (1833-1899), the son of Lyman Haughton, were members of Co. K of the 25th O.V.I, He served throughout the War and was mustered out a breveted brigadier- general. On his return to Toledo he entered the foundry and machine business. Today that business is known as the Haughton Elevator Company, Division of the Toledo Scale Corporation.

A study of old atlases of Washington Township, Lucas County, shows the names of landowners in the area. Many of these names are found on the tombstones.

The Westgate Chapel of the Christian and Missionary Alliance stands beside the cemetery. This lovely modern church had its beginning in 1861 as a Community Sunday School under the direction of Mr. Emerson Hasty. The Sunday School met in Haughton School for 48 years until 1909. During the winter of 1907-1908 a very successful series of Evangelistic meetings was held and it was decided to build a church. The church was erected in 1909. The present building on the same site was dedicated November 27, 1966.

Mrs. Cora Conrad of Middlesex Drive, who was Cora Vischer attended Haughton School, recalls how the pupils like to wander into the cemetery on a warm spring day and eat their lunch. To Mrs. Conrad also goes the honor of suggesting the building of the church of which she is still an active member.

It may be assumed when reading this list of tombstone inscriptions which follows that these people were either related to the Haughtons by marriage or were close friends and early settlers of the Haughton neighborhood.